§521-64 Tenant's remedy of repair and
deduction for minor defects. (a) The landlord, upon written notification
by the department of health or other state or county agencies that there exists
a condition on the premises that constitutes a health or safety violation,
shall commence repairs of the condition within seven calendar days of the
notification with a good faith requirement that the repairs be completed as
soon as possible; provided that if the landlord is unable to commence the
repairs within seven calendar days for reasons beyond the landlord's control,
the landlord shall inform the tenant of the reason for the delay and set a
reasonable tentative date on which repairs will commence.
(b) If the landlord fails to perform in the
manner specified in subsection (a), the tenant may:
(1) Immediately do or have done the necessary repairs
in a competent manner and, upon submission to the landlord of receipts
amounting to at least the sum deducted, deduct from the tenant's rent not more
than $1,000 or one month's rent, whichever is greater, for the tenant's actual expenditures for work done to correct
the health or safety violation; or
(2) Submit to the landlord, at least seven calendar
days before having the work done, written signed estimates from each of two
qualified workers and proceed to have done the necessary work by the worker who
provides the lower estimate; provided that the landlord may require in writing
a reasonable substitute worker or substitute materials and, upon submission to
the landlord of receipts amounting to at least the sum deducted, the tenant may
deduct $1,000 or one month's rent, whichever is greater, for the tenant's
actual expenditures for work done to correct the health or safety violation.